Playback using positioning information

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods to determine a position of a base with respect to a playback device and evaluating whether the position is proper or improper given an orientation of the playback device are disclosed and described herein. In one aspect, a playback device is provided. The example playback device includes a first fastener located on a first side of the playback device, a processor, and memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor to cause the computing device to perform functions. The functions include determining that a base is not coupled to the playback device via the first fastener and, in response to determining that the base is not coupled to the playback device via the first fastener, adjusting a playback setting of the playback device. The functions further include facilitating output of content via the playback device according to the adjusted playback setting.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure is related to consumer goods and, more particularly, tomethods, systems, products, features, services, and other elementsdirected to media playback or some aspect thereof.

BACKGROUND

Options for accessing and listening to digital audio in an out-loudsetting were limited until in 2003, when SONOS, Inc. filed for one ofits first patent applications, entitled “Method for Synchronizing AudioPlayback between Multiple Networked Devices,” and began offering a mediaplayback system for sale in 2005. The Sonos Wireless HiFi System enablespeople to experience music from many sources via one or more networkedplayback devices. Through a software control application installed on asmartphone, tablet, or computer, one can play what he or she wants inany room that has a networked playback device. Additionally, using thecontroller, for example, different songs can be streamed to each roomwith a playback device, rooms can be grouped together for synchronousplayback, or the same song can be heard in all rooms synchronously.

Given the ever growing interest in digital media, there continues to bea need to develop consumer-accessible technologies to further enhancethe listening experience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features, aspects, and advantages of the presently disclosed technologymay be better understood with regard to the following description,appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows an example media playback system configuration in whichcertain embodiments may be practiced;

FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of an example playback device;

FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of an example control device;

FIG. 4 shows an example controller interface;

FIG. 5A shows an illustration of an example playback device in a firstorientation.

FIG. 5B shows an illustration of the example playback device in a secondorientation that is different from the first orientation.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show an example of a change in orientation of an exampleplayback device.

FIG. 7 shows an example functional block diagram of a playback device inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart that illustrates an example method forprocessing an audio signal based on an orientation of a playback device.

FIG. 9A illustrates an example playback device.

FIG. 9B illustrates an example base for a playback device.

FIG. 10A shows an example playback device positioned on a base in alandscape orientation with respect to a surface.

FIG. 10B illustrates the example playback device of FIG. 10A in aportrait orientation with respect to the surface.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example interaction between a playback device anda controller.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show example notification information provided to auser via a graphical user interface on a controller.

FIG. 13 shows a flow diagram of an example method to enable playback ofmultimedia content using positioning information.

The drawings are for the purpose of illustrating example embodiments,but it is understood that the inventions are not limited to thearrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Overview

Some embodiments described herein relate to a playback device capable ofpositioning and playback in a variety of orientations and/or positions.For example, the playback device shapes sound and/or adjusts one or moreplayback settings responsive to its orientation and/or position withrespect to another object, a surface, etc. According to some examples,such embodiments may be implemented in an environment and system forwhich an ability to change an orientation of a playback device, positionthe playback device with respect to a base, and affect one or moreplayback settings of the playback device based on that orientationand/or position is desired.

Further, some embodiments described herein help account for movement ofa playback device based on vibration induced during playback. Suchvibration can, if unimpeded, result in the playback device changingposition, tipping, and/or falling over. Traditionally, suchvibration-induced movement is reduced by designing a speaker shape to bebalanced and/or by adding rubber feet to the device. However, someexamples described herein help maintain sound quality and help impedeunintended movement of the playback device without using rubber feet andwithout compromising the aesthetic appearance of the playback device.Some examples provide a playback device positionable with respect to abase (e.g., a foot, pedestal, mount, etc.). The base supports theplayback device and helps trigger the playback device to shape soundproduced by the playback device based on an orientation and/or positionof the playback device with respect to the base.

It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that thisdisclosure includes numerous other embodiments. While some examplesdescribed herein may refer to functions performed by one or more givenactors such as “users” and/or other entities, it should be understoodthat this is for purposes of explanation only. The claims should not beinterpreted to require action by any such example actor unlessexplicitly required by the language of the claims themselves.

II. Example Operating Environment

FIG. 1 shows an example configuration of a media playback system 100 inwhich one or more embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced orimplemented. The media playback system 100 as shown is associated withan example home environment having several rooms and spaces, such as forexample, a master bedroom, an office, a dining room, and a living room.As shown in the example of FIG. 1, the media playback system 100includes playback devices 102-124, control devices 126 and 128, and awired or wireless network router 130.

Further discussions relating to the different components of the examplemedia playback system 100 and how the different components may interactto provide a user with a media experience may be found in the followingsections. While discussions herein may generally refer to the examplemedia playback system 100, technologies described herein are not limitedto applications within, among other things, the home environment asshown in FIG. 1. For instance, the technologies described herein may beuseful in environments where multi-zone audio may be desired, such as,for example, a commercial setting like a restaurant, mall or airport, avehicle like a sports utility vehicle (SUV), bus or car, a ship or boat,an airplane, and so on.

a. Example Playback Devices

FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of an example playback device200 that may be configured to be one or more of the playback devices102-124 of the media playback system 100 of FIG. 1. The playback device200 may include a processor 202, software components 204, memory 206,audio processing components 208, audio amplifier(s) 210, speaker(s) 212,and a network interface 214 including wireless interface(s) 216 andwired interface(s) 218. In one case, the playback device 200 may notinclude the speaker(s) 212, but rather a speaker interface forconnecting the playback device 200 to external speakers. In anothercase, the playback device 200 may include neither the speaker(s) 212 northe audio amplifier(s) 210, but rather an audio interface for connectingthe playback device 200 to an external audio amplifier or audio-visualreceiver.

In one example, the processor 202 may be a clock-driven computingcomponent configured to process input data according to instructionsstored in the memory 206. The memory 206 may be a tangiblecomputer-readable medium configured to store instructions executable bythe processor 202. For instance, the memory 206 may be data storage thatcan be loaded with one or more of the software components 204 executableby the processor 202 to achieve certain functions. In one example, thefunctions may involve the playback device 200 retrieving audio data froman audio source or another playback device. In another example, thefunctions may involve the playback device 200 sending audio data toanother device or playback device on a network. In yet another example,the functions may involve pairing of the playback device 200 with one ormore playback devices to create a multi-channel audio environment.

Certain functions may involve the playback device 200 synchronizingplayback of audio content with one or more other playback devices.During synchronous playback, a listener will preferably not be able toperceive time-delay differences between playback of the audio content bythe playback device 200 and the one or more other playback devices. U.S.Pat. No. 8,234,395 entitled, “System and method for synchronizingoperations among a plurality of independently clocked digital dataprocessing devices,” which is hereby incorporated by reference, providesin more detail some examples for audio playback synchronization amongplayback devices.

The memory 206 may further be configured to store data associated withthe playback device 200, such as one or more zones and/or zone groupsthe playback device 200 is a part of, audio sources accessible by theplayback device 200, or a playback queue that the playback device 200(or some other playback device) may be associated with. The data may bestored as one or more state variables that are periodically updated andused to describe the state of the playback device 200. The memory 206may also include the data associated with the state of the other devicesof the media system, and shared from time to time among the devices sothat one or more of the devices have the most recent data associatedwith the system. Other embodiments are also possible.

The audio processing components 208 may include one or moredigital-to-analog converters (DAC), an audio preprocessing component, anaudio enhancement component or a digital signal processor (DSP), and soon. In one embodiment, one or more of the audio processing components208 may be a subcomponent of the processor 202. In one example, audiocontent may be processed and/or intentionally altered by the audioprocessing components 208 to produce audio signals. The produced audiosignals may then be provided to the audio amplifier(s) 210 foramplification and playback through speaker(s) 212. Particularly, theaudio amplifier(s) 210 may include devices configured to amplify audiosignals to a level for driving one or more of the speakers 212. Thespeaker(s) 212 may include an individual transducer (e.g., a “driver”)or a complete speaker system involving an enclosure with one or moredrivers. A particular driver of the speaker(s) 212 may include, forexample, a subwoofer (e.g., for low frequencies), a mid-range driver(e.g., for middle frequencies), and/or a tweeter (e.g., for highfrequencies). In some cases, each transducer in the one or more speakers212 may be driven by an individual corresponding audio amplifier of theaudio amplifier(s) 210. In addition to producing analog signals forplayback by the playback device 200, the audio processing components 208may be configured to process audio content to be sent to one or moreother playback devices for playback.

Audio content to be processed and/or played back by the playback device200 may be received from an external source, such as via an audioline-in input connection (e.g., an auto-detecting 3.5 mm audio line-inconnection) or the network interface 214.

The network interface 214 may be configured to facilitate a data flowbetween the playback device 200 and one or more other devices on a datanetwork. As such, the playback device 200 may be configured to receiveaudio content over the data network from one or more other playbackdevices in communication with the playback device 200, network deviceswithin a local area network, or audio content sources over a wide areanetwork such as the Internet. In one example, the audio content andother signals transmitted and received by the playback device 200 may betransmitted in the form of digital packet data containing an InternetProtocol (IP)-based source address and IP-based destination addresses.In such a case, the network interface 214 may be configured to parse thedigital packet data such that the data destined for the playback device200 is properly received and processed by the playback device 200.

As shown, the network interface 214 may include wireless interface(s)216 and wired interface(s) 218. The wireless interface(s) 216 mayprovide network interface functions for the playback device 200 towirelessly communicate with other devices (e.g., other playbackdevice(s), speaker(s), receiver(s), network device(s), control device(s)within a data network the playback device 200 is associated with) inaccordance with a communication protocol (e.g., any wireless standardincluding IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.15, 4Gmobile communication standard, and so on). The wired interface(s) 218may provide network interface functions for the playback device 200 tocommunicate over a wired connection with other devices in accordancewith a communication protocol (e.g., IEEE 802.3). While the networkinterface 214 shown in FIG. 2 includes both wireless interface(s) 216and wired interface(s) 218, the network interface 214 may in someembodiments include only wireless interface(s) or only wiredinterface(s).

In one example, the playback device 200 and one other playback devicemay be paired to play two separate audio components of audio content.For instance, playback device 200 may be configured to play a leftchannel audio component, while the other playback device may beconfigured to play a right channel audio component, thereby producing orenhancing a stereo effect of the audio content. The paired playbackdevices (also referred to as “bonded playback devices”) may further playaudio content in synchrony with other playback devices.

In another example, the playback device 200 may be sonicallyconsolidated with one or more other playback devices to form a single,consolidated playback device. A consolidated playback device may beconfigured to process and reproduce sound differently than anunconsolidated playback device or playback devices that are paired,because a consolidated playback device may have additional speakerdrivers through which audio content may be rendered. For instance, ifthe playback device 200 is a playback device designed to render lowfrequency range audio content (i.e. a subwoofer), the playback device200 may be consolidated with a playback device designed to render fullfrequency range audio content. In such a case, the full frequency rangeplayback device, when consolidated with the low frequency playbackdevice 200, may be configured to render only the mid and high frequencycomponents of audio content, while the low frequency range playbackdevice 200 renders the low frequency component of the audio content. Theconsolidated playback device may further be paired with a singleplayback device or yet another consolidated playback device.

By way of illustration, SONOS, Inc. presently offers (or has offered)for sale certain playback devices including a “PLAY:1,” “PLAY:3,”“PLAY:5,” “PLAYBAR,” “CONNECT:AMP,” “CONNECT,” and “SUB.” Any otherpast, present, and/or future playback devices may additionally oralternatively be used to implement the playback devices of exampleembodiments disclosed herein. Additionally, it is understood that aplayback device is not limited to the example illustrated in FIG. 2 orto the SONOS product offerings. For example, a playback device mayinclude a wired or wireless headphone. In another example, a playbackdevice may include or interact with a docking station for personalmobile media playback devices. In yet another example, a playback devicemay be integral to another device or component such as a television, alighting fixture, or some other device for indoor or outdoor use.

b. Example Playback Zone Configurations

Referring back to the media playback system 100 of FIG. 1, theenvironment may have one or more playback zones, each with one or moreplayback devices. The media playback system 100 may be established withone or more playback zones, after which one or more zones may be added,or removed to arrive at the example configuration shown in FIG. 1. Eachzone may be given a name according to a different room or space such asan office, bathroom, master bedroom, bedroom, kitchen, dining room,living room, and/or balcony. In one case, a single playback zone mayinclude multiple rooms or spaces. In another case, a single room orspace may include multiple playback zones.

As shown in FIG. 1, the balcony, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, office,and bedroom zones each have one playback device, while the living roomand master bedroom zones each have multiple playback devices. In theliving room zone, playback devices 104, 106, 108, and 110 may beconfigured to play audio content in synchrony as individual playbackdevices, as one or more bonded playback devices, as one or moreconsolidated playback devices, or any combination thereof. Similarly, inthe case of the master bedroom, playback devices 122 and 124 may beconfigured to play audio content in synchrony as individual playbackdevices, as a bonded playback device, or as a consolidated playbackdevice.

In one example, one or more playback zones in the environment of FIG. 1may each be playing different audio content. For instance, the user maybe grilling in the balcony zone and listening to hip hop music beingplayed by the playback device 102 while another user may be preparingfood in the kitchen zone and listening to classical music being playedby the playback device 114. In another example, a playback zone may playthe same audio content in synchrony with another playback zone. Forinstance, the user may be in the office zone where the playback device118 is playing the same rock music that is being playing by playbackdevice 102 in the balcony zone. In such a case, playback devices 102 and118 may be playing the rock music in synchrony such that the user mayseamlessly (or at least substantially seamlessly) enjoy the audiocontent that is being played out-loud while moving between differentplayback zones. Synchronization among playback zones may be achieved ina manner similar to that of synchronization among playback devices, asdescribed in previously referenced U.S. Pat. No. 8,234,395.

As suggested above, the zone configurations of the media playback system100 may be dynamically modified, and in some embodiments, the mediaplayback system 100 supports numerous configurations. For instance, if auser physically moves one or more playback devices to or from a zone,the media playback system 100 may be reconfigured to accommodate thechange(s). For instance, if the user physically moves the playbackdevice 102 from the balcony zone to the office zone, the office zone maynow include both the playback device 118 and the playback device 102.The playback device 102 may be paired or grouped with the office zoneand/or renamed if so desired via a control device such as the controldevices 126 and 128. On the other hand, if the one or more playbackdevices are moved to a particular area in the home environment that isnot already a playback zone, a new playback zone may be created for theparticular area.

Further, different playback zones of the media playback system 100 maybe dynamically combined into zone groups or split up into individualplayback zones. For instance, the dining room zone and the kitchen zone114 may be combined into a zone group for a dinner party such thatplayback devices 112 and 114 may render audio content in synchrony. Onthe other hand, the living room zone may be split into a television zoneincluding playback device 104, and a listening zone including playbackdevices 106, 108, and 110, if the user wishes to listen to music in theliving room space while another user wishes to watch television.

c. Example Control Devices

FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of an example control device 300that may be configured to be one or both of the control devices 126 and128 of the media playback system 100. As shown, the control device 300may include a processor 302, memory 304, a network interface 306, and auser interface 308. In one example, the control device 300 may be adedicated controller for the media playback system 100. In anotherexample, the control device 300 may be a network device on which mediaplayback system controller application software may be installed, suchas for example, an iPhone™ iPad™ or any other smart phone, tablet ornetwork device (e.g., a networked computer such as a PC or Mac™).

The processor 302 may be configured to perform functions relevant tofacilitating user access, control, and configuration of the mediaplayback system 100. The memory 304 may be configured to storeinstructions executable by the processor 302 to perform those functions.The memory 304 may also be configured to store the media playback systemcontroller application software and other data associated with the mediaplayback system 100 and the user.

In one example, the network interface 306 may be based on an industrystandard (e.g., infrared, radio, wired standards including IEEE 802.3,wireless standards including IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n,802.11ac, 802.15, 4G mobile communication standard, and so on). Thenetwork interface 306 may enable the control device 300 to communicatewith other devices in the media playback system 100. In one example,data and information (e.g., such as a state variable) may becommunicated between control device 300 and other devices via thenetwork interface 306. For instance, playback zone and zone groupconfigurations in the media playback system 100 may be received by thecontrol device 300 from a playback device or another network device, ortransmitted by the control device 300 to another playback device ornetwork device via the network interface 306. In some cases, the othernetwork device may be another control device.

Playback device control commands such as volume control and audioplayback control may also be communicated from the control device 300 toa playback device via the network interface 306. As suggested above,changes to configurations of the media playback system 100 may also beperformed by a user using the control device 300. The configurationchanges may include adding/removing one or more playback devices to/froma zone, adding/removing one or more zones to/from a zone group, forminga bonded or consolidated player, separating one or more playback devicesfrom a bonded or consolidated player, among others. Accordingly, thecontrol device 300 may sometimes be referred to as a controller, whetherthe control device 300 is a dedicated controller or a network device onwhich media playback system controller application software isinstalled.

The user interface 308 of the control device 300 may be configured tofacilitate user access and control of the media playback system 100, byproviding a controller interface such as the controller interface 400shown in FIG. 4. The controller interface 400 includes a playbackcontrol region 410, a playback zone region 420, a playback status region430, a playback queue region 440, and an audio content sources region450. The user interface 400 as shown is just one example of a userinterface that may be provided on a network device such as the controldevice 300 of FIG. 3 (and/or the control devices 126 and 128 of FIG. 1)and accessed by users to control a media playback system such as themedia playback system 100. Other user interfaces of varying formats,styles, and interactive sequences may alternatively be implemented onone or more network devices to provide comparable control access to amedia playback system.

The playback control region 410 may include selectable (e.g., by way oftouch or by using a cursor) icons to cause playback devices in aselected playback zone or zone group to play or pause, fast forward,rewind, skip to next, skip to previous, enter/exit shuffle mode,enter/exit repeat mode, enter/exit cross fade mode. The playback controlregion 410 may also include selectable icons to modify equalizationsettings, and playback volume, among other possibilities.

The playback zone region 420 may include representations of playbackzones within the media playback system 100. In some embodiments, thegraphical representations of playback zones may be selectable to bringup additional selectable icons to manage or configure the playback zonesin the media playback system, such as a creation of bonded zones,creation of zone groups, separation of zone groups, and renaming of zonegroups, among other possibilities.

For example, as shown, a “group” icon may be provided within each of thegraphical representations of playback zones. The “group” icon providedwithin a graphical representation of a particular zone may be selectableto bring up options to select one or more other zones in the mediaplayback system to be grouped with the particular zone. Once grouped,playback devices in the zones that have been grouped with the particularzone will be configured to play audio content in synchrony with theplayback device(s) in the particular zone. Analogously, a “group” iconmay be provided within a graphical representation of a zone group. Inthis case, the “group” icon may be selectable to bring up options todeselect one or more zones in the zone group to be removed from the zonegroup. Other interactions and implementations for grouping andungrouping zones via a user interface such as the user interface 400 arealso possible. The representations of playback zones in the playbackzone region 420 may be dynamically updated as playback zone or zonegroup configurations are modified.

The playback status region 430 may include graphical representations ofaudio content that is presently being played, previously played, orscheduled to play next in the selected playback zone or zone group. Theselected playback zone or zone group may be visually distinguished onthe user interface, such as within the playback zone region 420 and/orthe playback status region 430. The graphical representations mayinclude track title, artist name, album name, album year, track length,and other relevant information that may be useful for the user to knowwhen controlling the media playback system via the user interface 400.

The playback queue region 440 may include graphical representations ofaudio content in a playback queue associated with the selected playbackzone or zone group. In some embodiments, each playback zone or zonegroup may be associated with a playback queue containing informationcorresponding to zero or more audio items for playback by the playbackzone or zone group. For instance, each audio item in the playback queuemay comprise a uniform resource identifier (URI), a uniform resourcelocator (URL) or some other identifier that may be used by a playbackdevice in the playback zone or zone group to find and/or retrieve theaudio item from a local audio content source or a networked audiocontent source, possibly for playback by the playback device.

In one example, a playlist may be added to a playback queue, in whichcase information corresponding to each audio item in the playlist may beadded to the playback queue. In another example, audio items in aplayback queue may be saved as a playlist. In a further example, aplayback queue may be empty, or populated but “not in use” when theplayback zone or zone group is playing continuously streaming audiocontent, such as Internet radio that may continue to play untilotherwise stopped, rather than discrete audio items that have playbackdurations. In an alternative embodiment, a playback queue can includeInternet radio and/or other streaming audio content items and be “inuse” when the playback zone or zone group is playing those items. Otherexamples are also possible.

When playback zones or zone groups are “grouped” or “ungrouped,”playback queues associated with the affected playback zones or zonegroups may be cleared or re-associated. For example, if a first playbackzone including a first playback queue is grouped with a second playbackzone including a second playback queue, the established zone group mayhave an associated playback queue that is initially empty, that containsaudio items from the first playback queue (such as if the secondplayback zone was added to the first playback zone), that contains audioitems from the second playback queue (such as if the first playback zonewas added to the second playback zone), or a combination of audio itemsfrom both the first and second playback queues. Subsequently, if theestablished zone group is ungrouped, the resulting first playback zonemay be re-associated with the previous first playback queue, or beassociated with a new playback queue that is empty or contains audioitems from the playback queue associated with the established zone groupbefore the established zone group was ungrouped. Similarly, theresulting second playback zone may be re-associated with the previoussecond playback queue, or be associated with a new playback queue thatis empty, or contains audio items from the playback queue associatedwith the established zone group before the established zone group wasungrouped. Other examples are also possible.

Referring back to the user interface 400 of FIG. 4, the graphicalrepresentations of audio content in the playback queue region 440 mayinclude track titles, artist names, track lengths, and other relevantinformation associated with the audio content in the playback queue. Inone example, graphical representations of audio content may beselectable to bring up additional selectable icons to manage and/ormanipulate the playback queue and/or audio content represented in theplayback queue. For instance, a represented audio content may be removedfrom the playback queue, moved to a different position within theplayback queue, or selected to be played immediately, or after anycurrently playing audio content, among other possibilities. A playbackqueue associated with a playback zone or zone group may be stored in amemory on one or more playback devices in the playback zone or zonegroup, on a playback device that is not in the playback zone or zonegroup, and/or some other designated device.

The audio content sources region 450 may include graphicalrepresentations of selectable audio content sources from which audiocontent may be retrieved and played by the selected playback zone orzone group. Discussions pertaining to audio content sources may be foundin the following section.

d. Example Audio Content Sources

As indicated previously, one or more playback devices in a zone or zonegroup may be configured to retrieve for playback audio content (e.g.according to a corresponding URI or URL for the audio content) from avariety of available audio content sources. In one example, audiocontent may be retrieved by a playback device directly from acorresponding audio content source (e.g., a line-in connection). Inanother example, audio content may be provided to a playback device overa network via one or more other playback devices or network devices.

Example audio content sources may include a memory of one or moreplayback devices in a media playback system such as the media playbacksystem 100 of FIG. 1, local music libraries on one or more networkdevices (such as a control device, a network-enabled personal computer,or a networked-attached storage (NAS), for example), streaming audioservices providing audio content via the Internet (e.g., the cloud), oraudio sources connected to the media playback system via a line-in inputconnection on a playback device or network devise, among otherpossibilities.

In some embodiments, audio content sources may be regularly added orremoved from a media playback system such as the media playback system100 of FIG. 1. In one example, an indexing of audio items may beperformed whenever one or more audio content sources are added, removedor updated. Indexing of audio items may involve scanning foridentifiable audio items in all folders/directory shared over a networkaccessible by playback devices in the media playback system, andgenerating or updating an audio content database containing metadata(e.g., title, artist, album, track length, among others) and otherassociated information, such as a URI or URL for each identifiable audioitem found. Other examples for managing and maintaining audio contentsources may also be possible.

The above discussions relating to playback devices, controller devices,playback zone configurations, and media content sources provide onlysome examples of operating environments within which functions andmethods described below may be implemented. Other operating environmentsand configurations of media playback systems, playback devices, andnetwork devices not explicitly described herein may also be applicableand suitable for implementation of the functions and methods.

e. Example Shaping of Sound Based on Orientation

In some examples, a sound field produced by one or more playback devicescan be shaped based on the orientation of the one or more playbackdevices. Such shaping of sound may be implemented in any environment forwhich it may be desirable to conditioned, improved, or otherwise modifysound produced by a playback device. For instance, sound may be shapedwhen the playback device is used for listening to music and/or watchinga video, television or a movie, among other examples. As will bedescribed further below, the ability of the playback device to react toits orientation and shape its output of sound accordingly can beemployed with respect to positioning of the playback device andassociated component(s), for example. Positioning of the playback devicewith respect to a base, for example, can affect characteristics ofmultimedia content output by the playback device.

For example, an audio data stream is obtained by a playback devicehaving one or more speaker drivers (or the playback device is coupled toone or more speaker drivers), an orientation of the playback device,and, in particular, the speaker arrangement is determined, and sound isreproduced by the playback device based on the orientation.

FIG. 5A shows an illustration of an example playback device 500 having abuilt-in amplifier and speakers 502. The playback device 500 is shown ina first orientation. For sake of discussion, the first orientation maybe referred to herein as the “horizontal orientation,” though any namemay be given to the orientation of the playback device 500 shown in FIG.5A.

FIG. 5B shows an illustration of the example playback device 500 in asecond orientation that is different from the first orientation. Forsake of discussion, the second orientation may be referred to herein asthe “vertical orientation,” though any name may be given to theorientation of the playback device 500 shown in FIG. 5B.

Based on the orientation of the playback device 500, the soundreproduced by the playback device 500 may be shaped differently. Forexample, the sound coming from each speaker driver may be configured toreproduce a different frequency range, channel, or both frequency rangeand channel depending on the orientation. In another example, the soundcoming from a plurality of speakers 502 in the playback device 500 maybe in stereo when in horizontal position, whereas the sound coming fromthe same plurality of speakers 502 may be in monaural when in verticalposition. This allows increased optimization of the sound coming fromthe playback device 500. Further, this allows customization of the soundcoming from the playback device 500.

In an example, a stereophonic signal is reproduced by a plurality ofspeakers based on a first orientation, and a monaural signal isreproduced by the plurality of speakers based on a second orientation.Using the playback device 500 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B to illustrate, astereophonic signal may be reproduced by the playback device in ahorizontal orientation. That is, the left channel audio may be routed tothe left speaker 504 and the right channel audio may be routed to theright speaker 506. A monaural signal may be routed to the tweeter 508.When the playback device 500 is rotated, and in particular rotated to a90 degree angle (that is, the vertical orientation), from its previousorientation, the sound characteristics may change. For example, amonaural signal is played out of both the left and right speakers 504and 506, instead of a stereophonic sound.

In another example, a speaker driver reproduces a monaural signal andeither a right or left channel signal based on a first orientation, andthe speaker driver reproduces only a monaural signal based on a secondorientation. Again, using the playback device 500 to illustrate, in thehorizontal orientation, the left speaker 504 may play the left channelaudio above a threshold frequency (e.g., above 200 Hz) and a monauralsignal below the threshold frequency; likewise, the right speaker 506may play the right channel audio above a threshold frequency and amonaural signal below the threshold frequency. In a verticalorientation, the left and right speakers 504 and 506 may play a monauralsignal and not play separate left and right channels. The tweeter 508may play a monaural signal in both orientations, but the frequency rangemay be altered based on the orientation.

In another example, a speaker driver reproduces a first range offrequencies based on a first orientation, and the speaker driverreproduces a second range of frequencies based on a second orientation.Using the tweeter 508 to illustrate, in the horizontal orientation, thetweeter 508 might reproduce frequencies above 7.5 kHz, and in thevertical orientation the tweeter 508 might reproduce frequencies above 3kHz. As the frequency response changes for the tweeter 508, the soundfrom the left and right speakers 504 and 508 can also adjust so that thefrequency range is accounted for across the listening range.

In an example, the playback device does not contain a display. Thus, insome embodiments, the playback device does contain a display; examplesof such playback devices might include a television, a tablet computer(e.g., an Apple, Inc. iPad™ or a Microsoft Windows™ based tablet), or asmart phone or device (e.g., Apple, Inc. iPhone™ or iTouch™). In a fifthembodiment, the playback device is an audio-only device, such as aloudspeaker system. The playback device 500 is an example playbackdevice that does not contain a display.

In addition, it is understood that a speaker arrangement may beconnected to a playback device, but physically separate from each other(e.g., such as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C). Even with such an arrangement,the sound coming from the speaker arrangement may be shaped based on itsorientation. As such, the embodiments described herein with respect tosound shaping are not limited to a playback device with built-inspeakers.

In certain examples, sound is reproduced by a playback device based onan orientation of the playback device and whether the playback device ispaired with another playback device. In some instances, the orientationmay be configured to trump the pairing and the sound is reproduced basedon the orientation. In some instances, the pairing may be configured totrump the orientation and the sound is reproduced based on the pairing.In some instances, both the orientation and the pairing determine thesound reproduction. In some embodiments, the sound may be reproducedbased on orientation and any of: pairing, grouping, and consolidation ofplayback devices.

Using the playback device 500 shown in FIG. 5A to provide anillustration, a stereophonic signal may be reproduced by the playbackdevice 500 in the horizontal orientation. If the playback device 500 ispaired to another playback device, for example, then the playback device500 will determine that it is paired and horizontal, which will alterthe sound coming from the playback device 500. Particularly, if theplayback device 500 is the left speaker in a stereo pair, for example,then the left channel audio will be played from the playback device 500.The left speaker 504 may handle one set of frequencies and the rightspeaker 506 may handle another set of frequencies.

In certain examples, sound is reproduced by a playback device based onan orientation of a different playback device. For example, playbackdevice A and playback device B might be paired, such that the twoplayback devices reproduce a certain overall sound. In some instances,the sound from playback A may be based on the orientation of playbackdevice B. In some instances, the sound from playback B may be based onthe orientation of the playback device A. In some instances, the overallsound may be based on the orientation of both playback devices A and B.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the living room shows two playback devices 106and 108. The playback devices 106 and 108 may be configured to respondto each other's orientation. For example, the sound coming from theplayback device 106 may be based on the orientation of the playbackdevice 108. Similarly, the sound coming from the playback device 108 maybe based on the orientation of the playback device 106. As such, thesound coming from both playback devices 106 and 108 may be customizable.

In certain examples, an audio data stream is obtained by a playbackdevice having one or more speaker drivers, an orientation of theplayback device is determined, and sound is reproduced by the playbackdevice based on the orientation. In some examples, the audio data streamis modified by the playback device based on the orientation. In someembodiments, the audio data stream is modified prior to being obtainedby the playback device, yet the modification is based on theorientation.

In certain examples, a playback device contains one or more speakerdrivers that face a particular direction. In some instances, anorientation of the playback device is based on a rotation about an axisthat is perpendicular to the front face. That is, the one or morespeaker drivers still face the particular direction regardless of therotation. An illustration of this type of rotation is shown in FIGS. 5Aand 5B.

In some instances, an orientation of the playback device is based on arotation about an axis that is parallel to the front face (or a surfacedesignated as the “front face”). An illustration of this type ofrotation is shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. As such, upon a rotation, the oneor more speaker drivers may face a direction that is different from theparticular direction. In FIG. 6A, the playback device 600 is generallyaimed toward the listener. Upon rotation, as shown in FIG. 6B, theplayback device 600 is now generally aimed away from the listener. It isunderstood that additional speaker drivers may be incorporated into theplayback device 600, such that at least one speaker driver always facesthe listener regardless of rotation. Then, certain frequencies may berouted to speakers that face the listener (directional frequencies) andcertain frequencies may be routed to speakers that do not face thelistener (non-directional frequencies).

In some instances, an orientation of a playback device is based on arotation about more than one axis. That is, a playback device may berotated about two or more axes. The sound output from the playbackdevice or another playback device may be based on the particularrotation.

FIG. 7 shows an example functional block diagram of a playback device700 in accordance with an embodiment. The functional block diagram inFIG. 7 is similar to the functional block diagram of the playback device200 of FIG. 2, and further includes a sensor module 702. As such, manyof the reference numerals are shared between figures.

In certain embodiments, the sensor module 702 includes an accelerometerto detect how the playback device 700, and in particular, how thespeaker driver(s) are oriented. In certain embodiments, theaccelerometer device is a three axes accelerometer. Based on theorientation, the sound output from the playback device 700 or other zoneplayer(s), whose sound may depend on the orientation of the playbackdevice 700, may be shaped.

In certain embodiments, other types of sensors may be employed to detectposition and orientation of the playback device 700. For example, asensor may be used to determine speaker position relative to any of: afloor, wall, and ceiling. This information may be used to, for example,determine the speaker height relative to a listener in a room or thespeaker distance from a wall or corner, and based on that information,an audio characteristic of one or more playback devices may bedetermined. For example, an audio characteristic of one playback devicemight be determined, or an audio characteristic for any of a number ofdifferent playback devices within a local area may be determined tobetter optimize the sound environment based on the orientation.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart that illustrates an example method 800 forprocessing an audio signal based on an orientation of a playback device.The playback device can be positioned in a particular orientation usinga base, for example. The method 800 may be iteratively performed toaccommodate a change in orientation. Further, although the method 800 isdescribed about a rotation of a playback device detected by a sensormodule 702, it is understood that the method 800 is equally applicableshould the rotation be manually entered, or a height or other physicaloffset be provided. The method 800 may be understood in conjunction withthe playback device of FIG. 7, and therefore, the description referencesFIG. 7 to facilitate easy understanding of the example methodembodiment.

The method 800 starts at block 802 by determining an orientation of theplayback device 700. For example, using an accelerometer and/or otherposition sensor, an orientation (e.g., landscape, portrait, etc.) of theplayback device 700 is determined with respect to an underlying surface(e.g., a table, counter, floor, shelf, ledge, cabinet, etc.). In someexamples, the playback device 700 may be positioned with respect to abase as well as with respect to an underlying surface. Block 802 mightbe triggered when the playback device 700 is turned on, when theplayback device 700 is ready to play audio, when a particular timeinterval expires, when the playback device 700 is repositioned, and/orupon some other programmed trigger point. Irrespective of the triggerpoint, the sensor module 800 is activated to detect the orientation ofthe playback device 700, and in particular, to detect the orientation ofthe speaker array that provides the sound. Depending on implementation,the sensor module 702 may output a sensor signal or a set of sensorsignals. The sensor signal(s) may be provided to the processor 202,which is configured to determine the orientation based on the signal(s),and provides the orientation data to the audio processing component 208to process the audio.

According to certain embodiments, when the audio is processed upstreamfrom the playback device 400 based on the orientation of the playbackdevice 200 or when the orientation of the playback device 700 isimportant to other connected playback devices for group audio shaping,then the processor 202 may provide the orientation data from block 802to another playback device (also referred to as a zone player) via thenetwork interface 214. In some embodiments, such as when the audio isprocessed upstream from the playback device 700, the audio processingcomponent 208 may not need to provide any additional audio processingbased on the orientation.

At block 804, the audio is configured and routed to the appropriatespeaker based on the orientation. In some embodiments, the audio isconfigured by the playback device 700, itself, via the audio processingcomponent 208, for example. In some embodiments, the audio is configuredupstream from the playback device 700. The configured audio may then besent to the playback device 700 for play. In some embodiments, the audiois configured and routed based on at least two states of the playbackdevice 700: orientation and whether the playback device is paired,grouped, or consolidated with one or more additional playback devices.At block 806, the audio is played from one or more playback devices.

III. Example Playback Device Positioning Systems and Methods

As discussed above, position and orientation of a playback device canimpact playback settings and/or other playback characteristics of theplayback device. Certain examples provide a playback device that can beoriented on three (3) sides: a horizontal orientation and two (2)vertical orientations. The playback device is associated with a base(e.g., a rubber base, plastic base, glass base, metal base, etc.) thataccommodates the playback device in any of the three orientations. Theplayback device has one or more playback settings that can be affectedby a position and/or orientation of the playback device with respect toa base on which the playback device can be positioned. For example,playback settings can include play mode (e.g., play/no play, etc.),equalization (EQ) setting(s) (e.g., volume, treble, base, balance,loudness (e.g., a boost of certain frequency(-ies)), etc.), and/or othersound setting, based on a determination that the playback device isresting on the base correctly.

a. Example Playback Device and Base

FIG. 9A illustrates an example playback device 902 for playback of audioand/or other multimedia content. The playback device 902 may be similarto playback devices 102-124, 200, 500, 600, and/or 700 disclosed anddescribed above. As in the playback device 700, for example, theplayback device 902 includes a processor 202, software component(s) 204,memory 206, audio processing component(s) 208, audio amplifier(s) 210,speaker(s) 212, network interface 214 (e.g., wired 216 and/or wireless218), and sensor module 702.

The example playback device 902 includes one or more sensors 910-912included in and/or mounted on the playback device 902. Sensor(s) 910-912can be arranged with respect to a side of the playback device 902 (e.g.,one on each of three sides of the playback device 902, one on each sideof the playback device 902, etc.). Sensor(s) 910-912, 953 can be Halleffect sensors, other magnetic field-based sensors, and/or otherproximity sensors (e.g., near field communication (NFC) sensors, lightsensors, optical sensors, global positioning system (GPS) or beaconsensors, etc.), for example. In one example, three sensors 910-912 areplaced in the playback device 902, one on each of three sides of theplayback device 902 (e.g., off-center toward the rear corner of the sidefor detection).

The example playback device 902 also includes one or more fasteners920-922 incorporated in and/or mounted on the playback device 902. Incertain examples, one or more of the sensors 910-912 and fasteners920-922 may be integrated into a single fastener/sensor. The one or morefasteners 920-922 can be constructed from any magnetic material (e.g. amagnet), such as neodymium, steel, etc., and can be arranged withrespect to a side of the playback device 902 (e.g., one on each of threesides of the playback device 902, one on each side of the playbackdevice 902, etc.). The fastener(s) 920-922 can be centered, for example,on or in their respective side of the playback device 902.

FIG. 9B illustrates an example base 950, also referred to herein as afoot, pedestal, mount, etc. The example base 950 includes a primaryportion 951 and a secondary portion 952, which is raised or angled withrespect to the primary portion 951. In some examples, the base 950 doesnot include the secondary portion 952, or the secondary portion 952 isnot raised or angled with respect to the primary portion 951. The base950 includes a fastener 953 incorporated in or mounted on the base 950.The fastener 953 is used to help removably couple, attach, position,and/or otherwise engage the base 950 with the playback device 902. Aswith fasteners 920-922 in the playback device 902, the fastener 953 canbe formed from any magnetic material, such as neodymium, steel, etc.,and is positioned on or within the base 950. In certain examples, nofastener 953 is included in the base 950.

In certain examples, the base may also include an additional sensor,similar to the sensor(s) 910-912 in the playback device 902 (e.g., aHall effect sensor, other magnetic field-based sensor, and/or otherproximity sensor such as NFC sensor, light sensor, optical sensor, GPSor beacon sensor, etc.). However, as shown in FIG. 9B, the base 950 canbe implemented without a sensor as well.

The base 950 can be provided with the playback device 902 or may beprovided separately. The base 950 can be formed from a rubberizedmaterial and/or plastic, for example, to provide slip resistance to theplayback device. The base 950 is used to provide support, assist inproper positioning (e.g., using the fastener 953 and secondary portion952 to properly position the playback device 902 with respect to theprimary portion 951). The base 950 is removably affixed, coupled,positioned, or otherwise engaged with respect to the playback device902, for example.

In certain examples, the base 950 can be powered to serve as aninductive charging pad for the playback device 902. In certain examples,the base 950 can include a processor, memory, and network interface(s)to serve as a wireless access point. In such examples, when the playbackdevice 902 is docked with the base 950, the base 950 can provide networkcommunication services and access to the playback device 902 rather thanthe device 902 utilizing components internal to the playback device 902for such network communication.

b. Example Position Determination

In certain examples, the base 950 is arranged, structured, and/orotherwise configured to dock with a particular size and/or type ofplayback device 902 (e.g., a Play:1™, Play:3™, Play:5™, PlayBar, Sub,etc., manufactured by Sonos, Inc., of Santa Barbara, Calif., among otherexamples including playback devices not manufactured by Sonos, Inc.). Inother examples, the base 950 is designed to accommodate a variety ofplayback devices 902.

The one or more sensors 910-912 in the playback device 902 are arrangedto detect a positioning of the playback device 902 with respect to abase, such as the base 950 illustrated in the example of FIG. 9B.Sensor(s) 910-912 can be arranged with respect to a side of the playbackdevice 902 (e.g., one on each of three sides of the playback device 902,one on each side of the playback device 902, etc.). Sensor(s) 910-912,953 can be Hall effect sensors, other magnetic field-based sensors,and/or other proximity sensors (e.g., near field communication (NFC)sensors, light sensors, optical sensors, global positioning system (GPS)or beacon sensors, etc.), for example. In one example, three sensors910-912 are placed in the playback device 902, one on each of threesides of the playback device 902 (e.g., off-center toward the rearcorner of the side for detection).

The one or more fasteners 920-922 can be constructed from any magneticmaterial (e.g. a magnet), such as neodymium, steel, etc., and can bearranged with respect to a side of the playback device 902 (e.g., one oneach of three sides of the playback device 902, one on each side of theplayback device 902, etc.). The fastener(s) 920-922 can be centered, forexample, on or in their respective side of the playback device 902.Similarly, the fastener 953 can be formed from any magnetic material,such as neodymium, steel, etc., and is positioned on or within the base950.

One of the fastener(s) 920-922 in the playback device 902 engages withthe fastener 953 of the base 950 to position the playback device 902with respect to the base 950 (or vice-versa). Attraction between thefastener 953 in the base 950 and a nearest fastener 920-922 in theplayback device 902 helps to ensure proper alignment of the base 950with respect to the playback device 902 (or vice versa). Additionally,the fastener(s) 920-922, 953 help to prevent the playback device 902from moving (e.g., sliding, “walking”, jumping, tipping, etc.) withrespect to the base 950 when properly engaged. That is, the fastener(s)920-922, 953 help the base 950 to stabilize the playback device 902 andguard against jostling as well as movement caused by vibration at highvolume and/or bass level, for example.

In certain examples, a fastener 920-922 in the playback device 902engages the base 950 without a fastener 953 in the base 950. Forexample, material of the base 950 itself is attracted to the fastener920-922 and/or serves as a mount or cradle for the fastener 920-922without any particular attraction between the material of the base 950and the material of the fastener 920-922.

One of the sensor(s) 910-912 in the playback device 902 interacts withthe fastener 953 to measure, detect, and/or otherwise determineplacement of the base 950 with respect to the playback device 902. Forexample, when a fastener 920-922 of the playback device 902 is engagedwith the fastener 953 of the base 950, a corresponding sensor 910-912 ofthe playback device 902 is also positioned near the base fastener 953.The sensor 910-912 of the playback device 902 that is positioned inproximity to the fastener 953 of the base 950 can be used to identify alocation of the base 950 with respect to the playback device 902 (e.g.,which side of the playback device 902 is in contact with the base 950).Position can be determined using a variety of approaches includingmeasurement of a distance between sensors 910-912, a change in signalstrength, etc., by the processor 202 of the playback device 902 incommunication with the relevant sensor(s) 910-912 (and, in someexamples, the fastener 953).

For example, if fastener 922 is engaged with fastener 953 to hold theplayback device 902 against the base 950, off-center sensor 912 ispositioned near the fastener 953. A processor in the playback device 902(e.g., processor 202, working alone or in conjunction with the sensormodule 702) determines that a signal received from the sensor 912 isstrongest compared to other sensors 910-911. The processor thenextrapolates that the side of the playback device 902 on which thesensor 912 is located is the side of the playback device 902 which isengaged with the base 950.

In certain examples, detection of proper playback device 902—base 950alignment can be determined using NFC (or other wireless communicationprotocol) between the base 950 and playback device 902, as well as or inaddition to magnetic-based sensor detection. In certain examples, apressure sensor in the base 950 and/or playback device 902 can be usedto determine engagement of the playback device 902. In certain examples,positioning of the playback device 902 with respect to the base 950changes an angle of the playback device 902, and an accelerometer orother sensor in the playback device 902 can detect that change in angleand use the change to determine position.

Thus, using sensor(s) 910-912, the playback device 902 can determinewhether the base 950 is positioned with respect to the playback device902, on which side of the playback device 902 the base is engaged,whether the base 950 is upside down, whether the playback device 902 isproperly seated in the base 950, etc. As described above, the playbackdevice 902 also determines its orientation. Therefore, by combining base950 location with respect to an orientation of the playback device 902,the playback device 902 can determine whether the base 950 is properlypositioned with respect to the playback device 902 or whether it is 180degrees off and/or otherwise not properly located for a given device 902orientation, for example.

In certain examples, movement of the playback device 902 can also bedetermined using one or more sensors such as sensors 912-922, anaccelerometer in the playback device 902, a light sensor, an opticalsensor, a GPS or beacon, etc. Playback device 902 functionality can belimited and/or otherwise affected by movement as well as orientation andpositioning, for example.

In certain examples, a graphical user interface (GUI) on the playbackdevice 902 and/or an associated controller, such as control device 300,controller interface 400, etc., can provide a one or more visual cues,such as notification of correct and/or incorrect positioning of the base950 with respect to the playback device 902 for current device 902orientation. The GUI can also be used to provide instruction regardinghow to correct the base 950 positioning. The GUI can also provideinformation regarding drawback(s) of incorrect positioning, benefit(s)of correct positioning, and the like.

In certain examples, one or more of the base 950 and playback device 902includes a light emitting diode (LED) and/or other visible indication ofcorrect versus incorrect base 950 position. For example, an LED can glowa green color if positioning is proper and red is positioning isimproper. The LED might also glow yellow if positioning is indeterminatebetween proper and improper (e.g., close or overlapping enough tooperate but not exactly correct).

In certain examples, play back and/or other functionality of theplayback device 902 is affected by correct/incorrect position of thebase 950 with respect to the playback device 902. For example, volumemay be limited if the base 950 is in an incorrect position with respectto the playback device 902. For example, the playback device 902 maymove along a surface if the volume is too loud and the base 950 isn'tproviding stability, so volume for play back is capped or limited, basslevel is reduced, etc. Sound shaping parameters and/or otherequalization may be limited if positioning is not proper, for example.The processor 202 drives play back of audio from speaker(s) 212 of theplayback device 902 based on sensor input (e.g., position andorientation sensor input).

In certain examples, the base 950 can include wireless charging for abattery in the playback device 902. Proper positioning of the base 950with respect to the playback device 902 ensures proper charging of theplayback device 902 by the base 950. Improper positioning results ininefficient, limited, or no charging of the playback device 902 via thebase 950, for example.

In certain examples, positioning determination can be overridden ordisabled automatically and/or by a user. For example, positioningdetermination (and associated limits) can be disabled when the playbackdevice 902 is supported using a wall or ceiling mount (e.g., a sensor910-922 in the playback device 902 detects that a threaded wall/ceilingmount provided in the playback device 902 is being used). In otherexamples, a wall- or ceiling-mounted playback device 902 can adjust itsequalization and/or other playback setting based on its orientationmounted with respect to the wall or ceiling.

FIG. 10A shows the playback device 902 positioned on the base 950 in alandscape orientation with respect to a surface 960 (e.g., a table,counter, floor, shelf, ledge, cabinet, etc.). FIG. 10B illustrates theplayback device 902 once the device 902 has been reoriented in aportrait orientation with respect to the surface 960. However, as shownin the example of FIG. 10B, the base 950 is still attached to a bottom(or top) of the playback device 902 as if the playback device 902 werestill in a landscape orientation. Using the example of FIGS. 9A and 9B,the sensor 912 detects that the fastener 922 of the playback device isstill engaged with the fastener 953 of the base 950, and the sensor 910does not detect engagement with the base fastener 953 on the side ofplayback device fastener 920. The sensor module 702 determines thechange in orientation of the playback device 902 from landscape toportrait. Such base 950 positioning is not proper for the device'scurrent orientation and does not aid in stability of the playback device902 with respect to the surface 960.

Thus, for example, the playback device 902 can determine whether it isproperly positioned on a surface (e.g., having enough slip resistance)to enable audio playback of a certain loudness and/or equalization. Thedetermination is based on whether the device 920 is properly placed onthe base 950. In some examples, an accelerometer in the playback device902 detects the motion of the device 902 as it is moved from landscapeto portrait orientation.

c. Example Notification and Prompting Regarding Positioning

As shown in FIG. 11, for example, after the accelerometer or otherposition detector settles for a period of time (e.g., 30 seconds) andthe sensor 912 detects no further change in the position of the base 950with respect to the playback device 902, a notification 1105 (e.g., apush notification) is generated noting the improper positioning of thebase 950. The notification 1105 can be provided to a user via theplayback device 902 and/or a separate controller 1102 via a wirelesscommunication connection between the playback device 902 and controller1102. The notification 1105 can prompt the user to correct the positionand/or otherwise provide instruction to the user regarding potentialimpact and response.

FIGS. 12A and 12B provide some examples of notification informationprovided to a user via a graphical user interface on a controller. Asshown in the example of FIG. 12A, a positioning and/or otherconfiguration notification 1205 can be displayed to a user via thecontroller 1102, along with a picture or other stylized visualization ofa correct positioning of the playback device 902 and base 950.Additionally, the user can be prompted for an acknowledgement or action1215 via the controller 1102. For example, the controller 1102 presentsa message 1205 telling the user that the playback device 902 is missingits base (e.g., its “foot”) and provides an image and/or other visualcue 1210 showing the user the correct positioning of the device withrespect to the base. Further, the user is asked to acknowledge 1215 thathe or she will correct the problem, make the adjustment, etc.

As shown in the example of FIG. 12B, an interface of the examplecontroller 1102 may show a current item being played 1230 along with anerror condition 1220 impacting play back based on position and/ororientation of the playback device 902 and/or base 950. The exampleinterface further provides an instruction 1225 to help the user correctthe problem (e.g., add the base 950 to the playback device 902, adjustthe position of the playback device 902 with respect to the base 950,etc.).

d. Example Positioning and Playback Methods

A method 1300 shown in FIG. 13 presents an embodiment of a method thatcan be implemented within an operating environment involving, forexample, the media playback system 100 of FIG. 1, one or more of theplayback device 200 of FIG. 2, the playback device 500 of FIGS. 5A-5B,the playback device 600 of FIGS. 6A-6B, the playback device 700 of FIG.7, the playback device 902 of FIGS. 9A-11, one or more of the controldevice 300 of FIG. 3, and the controller 1102 of FIGS. 11-12B. Themethod 1300 may include one or more operations, functions, or actions asillustrated by one or more of blocks 1302-1318. Although the blocks areillustrated in sequential order, these blocks may also be performed inparallel, and/or in a different order than those described herein. Also,the various blocks may be combined into fewer blocks, divided intoadditional blocks, and/or removed based upon the desired implementation.

In addition, for the method 1300 and other processes and methodsdisclosed herein, the flowchart shows functionality and operation of onepossible implementation of present embodiments. In this regard, eachblock may represent a module, a segment, or a portion of program code,which includes one or more instructions executable by a processor forimplementing specific logical functions or steps in the process. Theprogram code may be stored on any type of computer readable medium, forexample, such as a storage device including a disk or hard drive. Thecomputer readable medium may include non-transitory computer readablemedium, for example, such as computer-readable media that stores datafor short periods of time like register memory, processor cache andRandom Access Memory (RAM). The computer readable medium may alsoinclude non-transitory media, such as secondary or persistent long termstorage, like read only memory (ROM), optical or magnetic disks,compact-disc read only memory (CD-ROM), for example. The computerreadable media may also be any other volatile or non-volatile storagesystems. The computer readable medium may be considered a computerreadable storage medium, for example, or a tangible storage device. Inaddition, for the method 1300 and other processes and methods disclosedherein, each block in FIG. 13 may represent circuitry that is wired toperform the specific logical functions in the process.

FIG. 13 shows a flow diagram of an example method 1300 to enableplayback of multimedia content using positioning information. At block1302, a position of a playback device with respect to a base isdetermined. For example, a sensor 910-912 is used to measure, detect,and/or otherwise determine a position of the playback device 902 withrespect to the base 950. The playback device 902 is removably engagedwith the base 950 using a combination of fasteners 920-922, 953 and/orother temporary connector. Proximity of a sensor 910-912 in the playbackdevice 902 to a fastener 953 in the base 950 provides an indication ofthe position of the playback device 902 with respect to the base 950,for example.

At block 1304, an orientation of the playback device is determined. Forexample, using an accelerometer and/or other position, a sensor module702 of the playback device 902 determines an orientation (e.g.,landscape, portrait, etc.) with respect to an underlying surface (e.g.,a table, counter, floor, shelf, ledge, cabinet, etc.). Orientationand/or other positioning of the playback device (e.g., with respect to abase) may affect one or more playback settings of the playback device,for example.

At block 1306, the determined position of the playback device iscompared to a proper position of the playback device with respect to thebase for the determined orientation of the playback device. For example,the processor 202 and sensor module 702 of the playback device 700, 902compare the determined position of the playback device 902 with respectto the base 950 to a stored or reference set of available position(s)for the determined orientation (e.g., if the playback device 902 is in alandscape orientation, then either a top or bottom of the playbackdevice 902 should be resting on the base 950).

At block 1308, based on the comparison, the determined position isidentified as correct or incorrect. For example, if the playback device902 is positioned on top of the base 950 and is in a landscapeorientation, as in the example of FIG. 10A, then the processor 202 andsensor module 702 of the playback device 902 determine that the base 950is in proper or correct position with respect to the playback device 902(or vice versa that the playback device 902 is in correct position withrespect to the base 950). However, if the playback device 902 is in aportrait orientation and the base 950 is position on a top or bottom ofthe playback device 902, as in the example of FIG. 10B, then theprocessor 202 and sensor module 702 determine that the base 950 isimproper or incorrect position with respect to the playback device 902(or vice versa). If the position is correct, then normal operationproceeds at block 1318. In certain examples, the user is notified ofcorrect positioning via one or more of the playback device, base, orexternal controller (e.g., via indicator light, GUI message, tone/sound,etc.).

At block 1310, if the position is determined to be improper/incorrect,then a notification of incorrect positioning is generated. For example,a notification is generated (e.g., by the playback device, the base,and/or a separate controller) to inform, alert, and/or otherwise notifythe user that the position of the playback device with respect to thebase (or vice versa) is incorrect. For example, a notification ofincorrect positioning can be output via one or more of the playbackdevice, base, or external controller (e.g., via indicator light, GUImessage, tone/sound, etc.) (see, e.g., the example of FIGS. 11, 12A and12B described above).

At block 1312, a prompt is generated to correct the position of the baseand/or playback device. For example, a prompt can be generated to promptand/or otherwise encourage a user to correct the position of the baseand/or playback device. The prompt can be generated at the playbackdevice, the base, and/or controller used to control the playback device(e.g., via an interface located in or on the playback device, base,and/or controller), for example. However, in some examples, aside fromthe user notification of incorrect positioning, the user may not beprompted for further action. If the user is prompted, as shown anddescribed, for example, with respect to FIGS. 11, 12A, and 12B above, amessage (e.g., alphanumeric, graphical, and/or audible) is provided tothe user via the playback device 902, the base 950, and/or thecontroller 1102, for example. In certain examples, a verification isgenerated and displayed via an interface to ask the user to verify thathe or she will and/or has undertaken corrective action (e.g., select toaccept or confirm, etc.).

At block 1314, correction of the position is confirmed. For example,orientation and position can be re-checked to determine if the playbackdevice and base are now in a correct position for the device orientationor are still positioned incorrectly.

If positioning has not been corrected or cannot be confirmed, then, atblock 1316, operation proceeds at a limited level. In limited operation,shaping of sound output by one or more speaker drivers in the playbackdevice and/or one or more other playback settings of the playback deviceare affected by improper playback device and/or base position, forexample. Playback settings can include play mode (e.g., play/no play,etc.), equalization (EQ) setting(s) (e.g., volume, treble, base,balance, loudness (e.g., a boost of certain frequency(-ies)), etc.),and/or other sound setting, based on a determination that the playbackdevice is positioned correctly with respect to the base. For example,the playback device 902 plays audio at a lower volume (or with a reducedmaximum volume level), bass level is limited, control functionality islimited, another equalization setting is modified, etc.

In certain examples, changing EQ setting(s) of the playback device caninclude turning on or off (or effectively muting) one or more specificspeaker drivers, changing a channel output of one or more speakerdrivers, changing a frequency response of one or more specific speakerdrivers, changing an amplifier gain of any particular speaker driver,changing the amplifier gain of the playback device as a whole, etc. Incertain examples, changing the EQ settings of the playback device (e.g.,changing the equalization of one or more speaker drivers of the playbackdevice) may affect frequency dependent parameters. Examples can includethe adjustment of a strength of frequencies within provided audio data,a phase adjustment, and time-delay adjustment.

In an example, an interface of the playback device and/or a controllerassociated with the playback device (e.g., the example controller 1102shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B) can display a message and/or othernotification (e.g., color, animation, tone, text, etc.) indicating thepresence of an error condition and/or otherwise conveying that theplayback device is operating in a limited mode (e.g., that one or moreplayback settings of the playback device are impacted by improperpositioning of the playback device and/or base).

However, if correct positioning is confirmed, then, at block 1318,normal operation proceeds. That is, the playback device 902 operatesnormally as directed by the user, configuration, scene, theme, zonegroup, playlist, multimedia content, equalization setting, etc.

Thus, for example, in operation, a playback device outputs contentaccording to one or more playback settings. Operation for playbackand/or other configuration of the playback device occurs and/or isadjusted in response to a determination of playback device orientationand position with respect to a base (e.g., a measurement and/or otherdetection of the base with respect to the playback device (e.g., withrespect to a fastener on or in the playback device). If the position ofthe playback device/base at the determined orientation is correct, thenplayback of media content by the playback device occurs according to afirst playback setting. However, if the position of the playbackdevice/base at the determined orientation is incorrect, then playback ofmedia content by the playback device occurs differently from the firstplayback setting (e.g., with a second playback setting, based on anadjustment of the first playback setting, etc.). Such adjustment ofplayback and/or other configuration of the playback device in responseto determination of orientation and position can occur immediately afterthe determination, substantially immediately after the determination(e.g., accounting for some processing and/or data transmission delayand/or other electronic latency, etc.), upon a subsequent initiation ofplayback via the playback device and/or a controller to control theplayback device (e.g., a smartphone controller application, a laptopcontroller application, a desktop controller application, a tabletcomputer controller application, a hardware controller, etc.).

IV. Conclusion

The description above discloses, among other things, various examplesystems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture including,among other components, firmware and/or software executed on hardware.It is understood that such examples are merely illustrative and shouldnot be considered as limiting. For example, it is contemplated that anyor all of the firmware, hardware, and/or software aspects or componentscan be embodied exclusively in hardware, exclusively in software,exclusively in firmware, or in any combination of hardware, software,and/or firmware. Accordingly, the examples provided are not the onlyway(s) to implement such systems, methods, apparatus, and/or articles ofmanufacture.

The example embodiments described herein provide for numerous ways toshape sound and/or otherwise affect playback within an environment basedon playback device orientation and alignment of a base with respect tothe playback device. In some examples, playback modification is furtherimpacted by a state or status of the playback device, such as whetherthe playback device is paired, grouped, or consolidated with one or moreadditional playback devices. Technology from the example embodiments maybe used in any application where accurately reproduced sound is desired,such as in motorized vehicles, boats, airplanes, and in outdoorlocations.

As indicated above, the examples provided herein involve determining aposition of a base with respect to a playback device and evaluatingwhether the position is proper or improper given an orientation of theplayback device. In one aspect, a playback device is provided. Theexample playback device includes a first fastener located on a firstside of the playback device, a processor, and memory having storedthereon instructions executable by the processor to cause the computingdevice to perform functions. The functions include determining that abase is not coupled to the playback device via the first fastener and,in response to determining that the base is not coupled to the playbackdevice via the first fastener, adjusting a playback setting of theplayback device. The functions further include facilitating output ofcontent via the playback device according to the adjusted playbacksetting.

In certain examples, the determining further includes identifying anorientation of the playback device, wherein adjusting the playbacksetting of the playback device occurs further in response to identifyingthe orientation of the playback device. In certain examples, theorientation is identified using an accelerometer. In certain examples,the instructions are further executable by the processor to performfunctions including determining that the playback device is mounted to awall, wherein adjusting the playback setting of the playback deviceoccurs further in response to determining that the playback device ismounted to the wall. In certain examples, adjusting the playback settingof the playback device includes adjusting a volume level of the playbackdevice. In certain examples, adjusting the playback setting of theplayback device includes limiting a maximum volume level of the playbackdevice. In certain examples, adjusting the playback setting of theplayback device includes adjusting an equalization setting of theplayback device.

In certain examples, the fastener includes a magnet. In certainexamples, determining that the base is not coupled to the playbackdevice via the first fastener includes determining, via a magnet sensor,that the base is not coupled to the playback device.

In certain examples, the instructions are further executable by theprocessor to perform functions including, in response to determiningthat the playback device is not coupled to the base, causing anindication that the playback device is not coupled to the base to beprovided. In certain examples, causing the indication to be providedfurther includes causing the indication to be provided via at least oneof the playback device, the base, and a controller of the playbackdevice. In certain examples, the indication includes a visual indicationthat the playback device is not properly positioned with respect to thebase. In certain examples, the indication includes an audible indicationthat the playback device is not properly positioned with respect to thebase. In certain examples, the indication includes a prompt to correctpositioning of the playback device with respect to the base.

In certain examples, the playback device further includes a secondfastener located on a second side of the playback device and a thirdfastener located on a third side of the playback device.

In another aspect, a computer readable storage device is provided. Theexample computer readable storage device includes instructions storedthereon which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor toimplement a method. The method includes determining that a base is notcoupled to a playback device via a first fastener of the playbackdevice, and, in response to determining that the base is not coupled tothe playback device via the first fastener, adjusting a playback settingof the playback device. The method includes facilitating output ofcontent via the playback device according to the adjusted playbacksetting.

In certain examples, the determining further includes identifying anorientation of the playback device, wherein adjusting the playbacksetting of the playback device occurs further in response to identifyingthe orientation of the playback device. In certain examples, adjustingthe playback setting of the playback device includes adjusting a volumelevel of the playback device. In certain examples, the method furtherincludes, in response to determining that the playback device is notcoupled to the base, providing at least one of a message, a visualindicator, and an audible indicator to a user indicating that theplayback device is not properly positioned with respect to the base. Incertain examples, the method further includes providing a prompt foruser action to correct positioning of the playback device with respectto the base.

In another aspect, a method is provided. The example method includesdetermining a position of a playback device with respect to a base;determining an orientation of the playback device; comparing thedetermined position to a reference position for the determinedorientation; and, if the determined position corresponds to thereference position for the determined orientation, allowing operation ofthe playback device. However, if the determined position does not matchthe reference position for the determined orientation, the methodincludes limiting operation of the playback device.

In certain examples, the method further includes, if the determinedposition does not match the reference position for the determinedorientation, generating a notification regarding an incorrect position.In certain examples, the notification includes at least one of amessage, a visual indicator, and an audible indicator to a userindicating that the playback device is not properly positioned withrespect to the base. In certain examples, the method further includesproviding a prompt to correct positioning of the playback device withrespect to the base. In certain examples, limiting operation furthercomprises limiting volume of output from the playback device. In certainexamples, limiting operation further comprises adjusting an equalizationsetting of the playback device. In certain examples, determining theposition includes determining, via a magnet sensor, a position of thebase with respect to the playback device.

In another aspect, a base for a playback device is provided. The examplebase includes a surface arranged to support a playback device and afastener to removably engage the playback device to the base. Theexample fastener is arranged with respect to the base to interact with asensor in the playback device to determine a position of the base withrespect to the playback device based on the interaction between thefastener and the base.

In certain examples, the surface of the base includes a first portionand a second portion, and the second portion is at least one of raisedand angled with respect to the first portion. In certain examples, thebase includes an indicator to display an indication of whether the baseis properly positioned with respect to the playback device. In certainexamples, the base includes a wireless access point to provide networkconnectivity to the playback device.

In another aspect, an example apparatus is provided. The exampleapparatus includes a playback device including a processor and a memory,the processor to process audio data for play back and a base tostabilize the playback device. In the example apparatus, at least one ofthe playback device and base includes a fastener to removably couple thebase with respect to the playback device, and at least one of theplayback device and the base includes a sensor to detect a position ofthe base with respect to the playback device. In the example apparatus,given an orientation of the playback device, the position of the basewith respect to the playback device is compared to a reference positionand generates a notification of incorrect position based on thecomparison.

In certain examples, the processor limits operation of the playbackdevice based on the notification of incorrect position. In certainexamples, the processor limits operation of the playback device bylimiting an output volume limit of the playback device. In certainexamples, the processor generates a prompt for corrective action basedon the notification of incorrect position. In certain examples, theplayback device includes a plurality of fasteners and plurality ofsensors to determine a side of the playback device on which the base iscoupled.

In another aspect, an example interface is provided. An examplenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructionsstored thereon which, when executed by a processor, causes the processorto generate a graphical user interface on a controller device. Theexample graphical user interface is configured to receive an indicationof improper positioning of a base with respect to a playback device;display a notification via the graphical user interface indicating theimproper positioning; and generate a prompt to correct the improperpositioning.

In certain examples, the notification includes an alphanumeric message.In certain examples, the notification further includes an image of acorrect position of the base with respect to the playback device at agiven orientation. In certain examples, the method further includesrequesting confirmation when the position has been corrected.

Additionally, references herein to “embodiment” means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment can be included in at least one example embodiment of aninvention. The appearances of this phrase in various places in thespecification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment,nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of otherembodiments. As such, the embodiments described herein, explicitly andimplicitly understood by one skilled in the art, can be combined withother embodiments.

The specification is presented largely in terms of illustrativeenvironments, systems, procedures, steps, logic blocks, processing, andother symbolic representations that directly or indirectly resemble theoperations of data processing devices coupled to networks. These processdescriptions and representations are typically used by those skilled inthe art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to othersskilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth to provide athorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it isunderstood to those skilled in the art that certain embodiments of thepresent disclosure can be practiced without certain, specific details.In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, andcircuitry have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring aspects of the embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of thepresent disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than theforgoing description of embodiments.

When any of the appended claims are read to cover a purely softwareand/or firmware implementation, at least one of the elements in at leastone example is hereby expressly defined to include a tangible,non-transitory medium such as a memory, DVD, CD, Blu-ray, and so on,storing the software and/or firmware.

We claim:
 1. A playback device comprising: a first fastener located on afirst side of the playback device; a processor; and memory having storedthereon instructions executable by the processor to cause the playbackdevice to perform functions comprising: determining that a base is notcoupled to the playback device via the first fastener; in response todetermining that the base is not coupled to the playback device via thefirst fastener, adjusting a playback setting of the playback device; andfacilitating output of content via the playback device according to theadjusted playback setting.
 2. The playback device of claim 1, whereinthe instructions are further executable by the processor to performfunctions comprising: identifying an orientation of the playback device,wherein adjusting the playback setting of the playback device occursfurther in response to identifying the orientation of the playbackdevice.
 3. The playback device of claim 2, wherein the orientation isidentified using an accelerometer.
 4. The playback device of claim 1,wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor toperform functions comprising: determining that the playback device ismounted to a wall, wherein adjusting the playback setting of theplayback device occurs further in response to determining that theplayback device is mounted to the wall.
 5. The playback device of claim1, wherein adjusting the playback setting of the playback devicecomprises adjusting a volume level of the playback device.
 6. Theplayback device of claim 1, wherein adjusting the playback setting ofthe playback device comprises limiting a maximum volume level of theplayback device.
 7. The playback device of claim 1, wherein adjustingthe playback setting of the playback device comprises adjusting anequalization setting of the playback device.
 8. The playback device ofclaim 1, wherein the fastener comprises a magnet.
 9. The playback deviceof claim 7, wherein determining that the base is not coupled to theplayback device via the first fastener comprises, determining, via amagnet sensor, that the base is not coupled to the playback device. 10.The playback device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are furtherexecutable by the processor to perform functions comprising: in responseto determining that the playback device is not coupled to the base,causing an indication that the playback device is not coupled to thebase to be provided.
 11. The playback device of claim 10, whereincausing the indication to be provided further comprises causing theindication to be provided via at least one of the playback device, thebase, and a controller of the playback device.
 12. The playback deviceof claim 10, wherein the indication comprises a visual indication thatthe playback device is not properly positioned with respect to the base.13. The playback device of claim 10, wherein the indication comprises anaudible indication that the playback device is not properly positionedwith respect to the base.
 14. The playback device of claim 10, whereinthe indication comprises a prompt to correct positioning of the playbackdevice with respect to the base.
 15. The playback device of claim 1,further comprising a second fastener located on a second side of theplayback device and a third fastener located on a third side of theplayback device.
 16. A computer readable storage device includinginstructions stored thereon which, when executed by a processor, causethe processor to implement a method, the method including: determiningthat a base is not coupled to a playback device via the first fastener;in response to determining that the base is not coupled to the playbackdevice via the first fastener, adjusting a playback setting of theplayback device; and facilitating output of content via the playbackdevice according to the adjusted playback setting.
 17. The computerreadable storage device of claim 16, further comprising identifying anorientation of the playback device, wherein adjusting the playbacksetting of the playback device occurs further in response to identifyingthe orientation of the playback device.
 18. The computer readablestorage device of claim 16, wherein adjusting the playback setting ofthe playback device comprises adjusting a volume level of the playbackdevice.
 19. The computer readable storage device of claim 16, whereinthe method further comprises, in response to determining that theplayback device is not coupled to the base, causing at least one of amessage, a visual indicator, and an audible indicator to be providedindicating that the playback device is not properly positioned withrespect to the base.
 20. The computer readable storage device of claim19, wherein the method further comprises providing a prompt to correctpositioning of the playback device with respect to the base.